Spiritual-Surreal Imagery Jakub Julian Ziolkowski's vibrant works are bizarre and alluring. In his wild, surreal cosmos of mutant humans, organic forms and circulatory systems, the Polish painter mixes cultural symbols, the decorative and the fantastical. Juxtaposing the spiritual and the microscopic, he creates a universe bristling with detail and a kaleidoscope of references - from Hiernoymos Bosch visions of heaven and hell and James Ensor's grotesque allegories to Philip Guston. Yet, his paintings show a highly personal world that is populated by a recurring cast of characters. This publication is the first comprehensive overview of his work from 2005 to the present, giving insights into his artistic practice in different media: from painting to sculpture, ceramics as well as drawing. The book includes essays by Olga Tokarczuk, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and Cecilia Alemani, curator of the 59. Venice Biennale, an in-depth interview with the artist, as well as texts by philosopher Kajetan Mlynarski and psychologist Bartlomiej Dobroczynski.

Three artists have been selected to represent Italy at the 2017 Venice Biennale: Giorgio Andreotta Calo, Roberto Cuoghi, and Adelita Husni-Bey. They are relatively young artists, belonging to the same generation as the curator, and have been present on the international art scene since the year 2000. Their works speak global languages but are closely linked to the culture of Italy, without overlooking its current cosmopolitan aspect. Giorgio Andreotta Calo focuses on dialogues between space and artistic action, Roberto Cuoghi the best known of the three carries out research into memory and time, and Adelita Husni-Bey involves the public in artistic practices connected with history and social issues.